Burner and method for odor elimination

ABSTRACT

A burner and method which can substantially eliminate odorous materials or smoke from an airstream at a high volume. Air containing odorous materials is directed at a high rate and volume around a multiplicity of tubular members having flared or elongated passageways. The odorous air is directed around the ends of the passages by vanes and the fuel in the tubular members is combined therewith between the ends of the passages and the vanes to incinerate the odorous substances in the air a short distance from the vanes.

United States Patent [72] Inventor La Clede Llentz Holllster. Mo. [2]]Appl. No. 835,284 [22} Filed May 21. I969 [45] Patented Nov. 9, I971[73] Assignee Chemetron Corporation Chicago. Ill.

[54] BURNERAND METHODFORODOR ELIMINATION 4 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 431/5 [51] F23j I5/00 [50] Field oi'Search 431/5. I15. I58.8. 9, I0. 202

[56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.769.504 ll/l956 Miller43l/5 X l I l-T It 1' ll v 1 I I ll? 1 l9 r ti l 1 l 2,925,858 2/l960Reed 43l/l l5 3.078.9l4 2/l963 Bigel0w..lr. 43l/l l5 3.285.316 ll/l966Gustufsun etal. 43l/238X 3.369.587 2/!968 Taubmann 43l/l58X Primaryliraminer-Frederick L. Matteson Ass/slant Examiner- Robert A. DuaAllurney- Nicholas M. Esser PATENTEDNUV 9|97l 3.619.094

SHEET 1 [IF 4 ii .i

Inventor La Clede Lient a, jtkorneg/ PATENTEBunv 9 19m 3.619.094

SHEET 2 OF 4 iis Inventor LaClede Liar-L125 PATENTEnunv 9 I971 3,619,094

sum 3 OF 4 Inventor La Clede Lientg BURNER AND METHOD FOR ODORELIMINATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to aburner and method for substantially reducing odor or smoke formingmaterials in an airstream. More particularly, the invention is concernedwith a burner which can combust the odor-forming materials in air bydirecting them at a high volume and velocity around the ends of amultiplicity of tubular members which supply combustible fuel through anelongated orifice.

Presently available burners are designed to produce a flame which inintroduced into an odorous airstream or alternatively theodor-containing material is passed through the burner flame. Whereassome available burners will incinerate odors successfully, they do nothave the capacity to do so at high capacities and temperatures.Available burners leave much to be desired in the area of efficientcombustion in that much of the fuel is not combusted due to poor flamestability or much of the odor-forming materials in the air or gas streamdo not come in contact with the flame portion of the burner. Further,problems arise with burners of the type concerned with in this inventionbecause of plugging of the fuel nozzle due to the nature of thematerials which must be incinerated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel burner andmethod which can combust odor-forming materials in a gaseous stream withmaximum efficiency. It is another object of this invention to provide aburner and method of combustion which has a high capacity and flow ratefor burning odorous materials in an airstream. It is still anotherobject of the present invention to provide a burner for reducing odorsin an airstream which can be manufactured economically and withoutextensive tooling. It is yet another object of this invention to providea burner member which can operate in large volume flow rates whilemaintaining flame stability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects are accomplished and theshortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the present method whereina stream of odorous, gaseous material is directed along a flow pathwhile a multiplicity of fuel streams are provided in a combustion zone.The fuel streams are elongated in horizontal section and portions of theodorous stream are directed in a transverse manner through the fuel inthe zone so that the major portion of the stream is in direct contactwith the fuel to form individual flames, the oxygen in the effluentstream actually supporting combustion of the fuel. The burner foreffecting the method is comprised of a multiplicity of tubular membersenclosed in a housing with directional vanes spaced from the ends of thetubular members. The ends of the tubular members adjacent the vanes areelongated to provide an extended fuel stream across and between the endsof the tubular members and the vane. For improved flame stability, anindentation is provided in the vane portion directly opposite theelongated orifice with the indentation in alignment with the orifice ofthe tubular member. The portion of the vanes adjacent the ends of thetubular members are tapered outwardly and away from the ends of theelongated orifices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A better understanding of the presentburner and method will be accomplished by reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. I is a view in side elevation showing the burner mounted in afurnace.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the burner shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the burner taken long line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view of vertical section of the burner shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view in horizontal section of the burner taken along line5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view in vertical section of the pilot ignition assembly forthe burner shown in the previous Figures.

FIG. 7 is a partial view in horizontal section of the burner shown inFIG. 4 illustrating the placement of the pilot ignition assembly withrespect to the flame detector.

FIG. 8 is a partial view of a vane member shown in burner of FIG. 4illustrating the location of a fuel gas tube with respect to the vane.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the vane member shown in FIGS. 8 and 4.

FIG. 10 is a view in side elevation of the vane shown in FIG.

FIG. 1] is a view in horizontal section taken along line 11-- ll of FIG.10.

FIG. 12 is a view in side elevation showing the previously illustratedburner in a vertical type furnace.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The device for best carrying outthe method of this invention is burner generally 10 which is connectedto a furnace II, which can be composed of a brick or other suitablematerial, having an upstanding outlet 12 protected by a rain cover 13and supported by footers 14. A centrifugal type blower 15 suppliesodorous air to burner 10 adjacent the end opposite furnace 11. Referringspecifically to FIGS. 2-5, burner 10 is composed of an annular housing16 which has secured laterally to the inner surface thereof, preferablyby welding, curved directional vane members 18 which are substantiallyL-shaped terminating near the end of burner housing 16 which is incontact with furnace ll. Extending laterally to and spaced from thevanes 18 adjacent the leg portion of the L-shaped vanes are amultiplicity of tubular members 19 each having an elongated orifice 20formed by flattened portion 19a and enclosed in housing 16. The orifice20 of tubular member 18 is disposed transversely with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the leg of the L-shaped vane and the leg portion ofthe vane is curved around orifice 20 and in a manner so that the portionof the vane adjacent the orifice tapers outwardly and away from orifice20 with the leg of vane 18 extending a sufficient distance to completelycover orifice 20 of the tubular members 19. Vanes 18 have a lesserdegree of curvature at the side adjacent the inside of housing I6 thanat the opposite side for the purpose of compensating for the greaterradius of curvature at the housing wall as compared to the innerportion. This provides more even distribution of the odorous gas andfuel stream over the circular area of the burner end. At the end oftubular members 19 opposite the orifices 20 is an annular manifold 23which has a hollow circular center section 24 and is supportedconcentrically inside housing 16 by means of flanges 25 and a fuel gasinlet pipe 26. A circular cap 27 encloses burner 10 opposite furnace ll.

Disposed laterally and carried by housing 16 is an ignition and pilotlight means 30 which includes a spark plug 31 the sparking end of whichis enclosed by a cylindrical housing 32. As best shown in FIG. 6, a gasinlet pipe 34 connected to low pressure gas source communicatesinternally in cylindrical housing 32 and with a multiapertured nozzle35. Air enters the cylindrical housing 32 by apertures 36 in the endwall 37. Secured adjacent to the cylindrical housing 32 is a flamedetector 40 of the ultraviolet light type. For ease of repair, it willbe noted that the pilot and ignition assembly 30 and the flame detector40 are secured to a plate 41 which is bolted to the side of housing 16.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 10 and II it will be seen that anindented portion 43 is provided in the underside and in leg portion 18aof vane 18. This indentation is positioned to be axially aligned withthe elongated orifice 20 of each tubular member 19 and is an importantfactor for flame stabilization when large volumes of air containingodorous materials are passed around the inner side of leg portions 184.

OPERATION A better understanding of the advantages of burner 10 will behad by a description of its operation. Natural gas from a suitablesource and pressure is introduced into pipe 34 of the pilot ignitionmeans 30. With the gas issuing from nozzle 35 a charge of electriccurrent from a suitable coil (not shown.) is

presence of the flame is indicated by flame detector 40. When it isdesired to incinerate odors from a gaseous stream such as an airstream,natural gas is introduced into pipe 26. After sufficient gas hasaccumulated inside the burner housing 16 it will be ignited by the flamein pilot 30. Natural gas is introduced into gas pipe 26 and adjusted ata flow rate in the range of 40 to 125 cubic feet per minute to produce250 to 2,500 B.t.u. per hour. Immediately thereafter the odorous airgases as from a slaughtering house are blown into burner and into theinside of housing 16 by blower at a rate in the range of 800 to 2,500cubic feet per minute. A multiplicity of flames being elongated inhorizontal cross section will be formed and extend from orifices 20. Theodorous gas is directed along tubular members 19 and in a directionsubstantially parallel to the direction of the flames. The odorous gaswill contact the underside of leg portions 18a of vanes 18 and bedirected substantially in a transverse manner through the fuel stream inthe combustion zone. By having a multiplicity of fuel streams and a vanefor each flame the major portion of the odorous gas stream is broughtinto contact with the fuel by having individual portions of the odorousstream contact the fuel. As the odorous gas stream is incinerated itwill exit from the burner 10 in a stream having a vortex flowing in aclockwise manner when viewed from the direction the odorous streamenters the burner. This is effected by the vanes 18 being disposed in acircular manner around the inside housing 16 burner with the legportions turned in a clockwise manner. The purpose of furnace ll is togive added retention time for combustion of the odorous materials beforebeing discharged to atmosphere.

An improved result is effected by the odorous gas being divided intoseveral streams by vanes 18 and directed and intermixed with the fuel athigh velocities. This affords efficient combustion of the odorousmaterial and eliminates the enveloping effect which is caused by warmair insulating the odorous material from the flame. As viewed from theback of the burner, the composite flame will be in the form of a rollingball of fire. However, the vanes 18 will not become excessively heatedbecause combustion takes place approximately onehalf inch from beyondthe vane and outside housing 16 with the surrounding air acting as aninsulator for the vane.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring specifically to FIG. 12it will be seen that burner 10 is disposed laterally in a vertical typefurnace 50 having an outlet 51 with rain cap 52 positioned transverselywith respect to the flow of fuel and odorous gas through burner 10.Burner 10 will function as previously described in furnace 10 except bybeing positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of furnace 50 andoutlet 51 a longer retention time for combustion is effected and thecombusting materials will take a circuitous upward path before exitingthrough outlet 51.

It will be noted that orifices 20 are elongated and the purpose istwofold. First, clogging of the orifice is prevented from grease andother heavy carbonaceous type materials. Second, an elongated flame forefficient combustion is afforded.

In the operation of burner 10, odorous gases were blown into and throughburner 10 at the ratio in the range of 800 to 2,500 cubic feet perminute. It will be understood that larger designs of burner 10 areenvisioned with flow rates as high as 40,000 cubic feet per minute andsmoke as well as odorous materials can be incinerated. For maximumcombustion, a ratio of odorous gas to natural gas is preferably 20 to 1.However, the burner can operate at a ratio of 400-500 to l with someefficiency. Under the foregoing conditions flame stabilization in burner10 is afforded by having the orifice 20 disposed from the insideadjacent leg portion 18a of vane 18 at a distance of about on e-halfinch. It will be noted that indentanon 43 1S oppositely disposed on thevane and extends approximately the same distance in length. An importantresult is effected with its use although the reason for it is notexactly known.

The preferred materials for fabricating vanes 18, tubular members 19 andthe housing 16 is stainless steel. However, other materials commonlyused in the manufacture of burners of this type can be employed such ascast iron, steel, metal alloys or ceramics. Further, while a certainnumber of tubular members 19 and vanes 18 are illustrated, any number ofsame could be employed in a circular manner to afford combustion ofodorous materials with provision that a sufficient number are providedwith respect to the internal diameter of the burner.

Ignition and pilot means 30 includes a cylindrical housing 32 for thepurpose of isolating the pilot flame from the main stream of odorousgas. This is to prevent contact by moisture and the high velocity of thestream which may extinguish the flame. It is understood that burner 10could be operated without the ignition or pilot means 30 and any meansfor igniting the burner could be employed in its place.

It will thus be seen that through the present invention there isprovided a method and apparatus for combustion of odorous gas streamswhich affords efficient combustion. The method involves a minimum amountof steps and the burner for effecting the method contains a minimumamount of parts. The burner is adaptable to a wide variety of odoroustype materials and is easily installed in existing odorous exhauststreams. The burner contains no moving parts and thus its operation iseasily maintained.

It will be apparent that certain modifications and changes will benecessary for adaptation to specific materials from time to time as willbe suggested to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all suchmodifications and changes as come within the spirit of this inventionare intended as being within its scope as best defined by the appendedclaims wherein there is claimed.

1. A method of combusting odorous or smoke forming combustiblesubstances present in a fluid also containing an oxident comprising thesteps of directing the fluid from one direction toward a combustionzone, directing a multiplicity of streams containing fuel from the samedirection into said combustion zone, and deflecting the fluid into thecombustion zone and substantially transversely into contact with thestreams to form a multiplicity of flames.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of dividing thefluid into individual fluid portions and deflecting each of said dividedfluid portions into the combustion zone and substantially tranverselyinto contact with one of the streams containing fuel.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of deflecting eachof said divided fluid portions to form a vortex in said combustion zone.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said vortex is clockwise when viewedfrom the direction of the fluid being directed toward said combustionzone.

1. A method of combusting odorous or smoke forming combustiblesubstances present in a fluid also containing an oxident comprising thesteps of directing the fluid from one direction toward a combustionzone, directing a multiplicity of streams containing fuel from the samedirection into said combustion zone, and deflecting the fluid into thecombustion zone and substantially transversely into contact with thestreams to form a multiplicity of flames.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising the steps of dividing the fluid into individual fluidportions and deflecting eacH of said divided fluid portions into thecombustion zone and substantially tranversely into contact with one ofthe streams containing fuel.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprisingthe step of deflecting each of said divided fluid portions to form avortex in said combustion zone.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein saidvortex is clockwise when viewed from the direction of the fluid beingdirected toward said combustion zone.